Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 831 The North-South Conflict Gradually Emerges

How do you create the perfect crime?

The answer is simple.

That is to prevent people from realizing that there is a case here.

Similarly, how can one remain hidden in a megacity like Lin'an without attracting anyone's attention?

It's very simple: don't let anyone realize that there are spies hiding in the city.

This matter involving Manyu infuriated Luo Huaiyan, and it was precisely because of this that he went through so much trouble.

That is, before this, the Imperial City Guard was unaware that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had infiltrated the Song Dynasty.

After this incident, the Imperial City Guard will definitely find out.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that Luo Huaiyan had to arrest Zhang Hu in order to force out the seriousness of the matter is a huge flaw.

From this perspective, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to skin Man Yu alive ten thousand times.

However, Luo Huaiyan knew that as Liu Huai's strategic goal of expelling the Tartars and restoring China was gradually achieved, the relationship between the North and the South would gradually shift from cooperation to confrontation.

The struggle will become increasingly intense.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard will also focus more and more on Jiangnan, and sooner or later they will clash with the Imperial City Guard. At that time, we will see who is more cunning.

The world's affairs are like two millstones, and even someone like Luo Huaiyan is just a slightly larger and harder pebble. To survive, one must have certain methods.

Although the matter of Manyu had come to an end and the struggle was about to enter a new phase, Luo Huaiyan focused his attention on the matter that Zhang Hu had entrusted to him.

The Imperial City Guard has ordered that Shi Hao be kept a close watch on.

Why is that?
Luo Huaiyan knew that there were two factions within the Imperial City Guard.

One of them consisted of Yang Yizhong's former subordinates.

The other faction is now headed by Long Dayuan, the Director of the Imperial City.

Although Long Dayuan is truly a useless person, he may not even know that there are still many people in the Imperial City Guard who obey Yang Yizhong's orders.

However, a local official is more powerful than a distant one. Since the position and power are so great, a group of people will naturally come to offer their loyalty.

Now there is a major problem.

Which side is trying to keep a close eye on Shi Hao?
What is Shi Hao going to do next?

Luo Huaiyan tapped on the windowpane in the dim light of dawn, deep in thought.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had been stationed in Jiangnan for two or three years, which was still too short a time. No one had entered the center of power. The closest people to power were just guards in the homes of ministers and vice ministers. Therefore, this matter could not be directly investigated from the desks of the ministers.

But Luo Huaiyan naturally had his own methods.

As the prime minister of a country, Shi Hao could not escape the issues of money and grain no matter what important things he wanted to do.

Those most closely associated with the concepts of money and grain are merchants.

By keeping a close eye on the merchants kept by wealthy and powerful families, it is very likely that clues will be found.

Thinking of this, Luo Huaiyan, who hadn't slept all night, finally felt a little tired. After rubbing his temples, he took off his clothes and fell into a deep sleep.

And the Jinyiwei's intelligence network in Lin'an was indeed slowly unfolding like a giant net.

Of course, spies must ultimately operate in the shadows, so everything happens as quietly as spring rain falling silently in the night.

Even more naturally, the government in the open acted like a raging storm, a thunderous and lightning-like force.

On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, before the joyous atmosphere of the Lantern Festival had even dissipated, Zhao Huaide, the Imperial City Guard Inspector, who was actually Long Dayuan's deputy, stared wide-eyed at Liu He, the clerk who came to report, and shouted, "What do you mean 'cannot be found'?! Zhang Hu, such a big, living person, has vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead?"

Liu He said tremblingly, "That's right. I've already asked the people who went drinking with this guy on the Lantern Festival, and they all said they went to the toilet and never came back."

They assumed he was just making an excuse to avoid paying for the drinks, so they didn't pay much attention.

Yesterday, Zhang Hu's family found them and realized something was wrong, but they didn't report it to the authorities; they just searched for him on their own.

I only discovered this matter this morning when I was on duty. I beg your forgiveness, Zhao.

Zhao Huaide yanked all the brushes off the brush holder and threw them at Liu He: "A secret agent of the Imperial City Guard with a heavy responsibility, and you only found out after two days? What the hell are you good for?!"

For the past two days, Zhang Hu has been chopped up and fed to the dogs, and they've even defecated in his vomit.

After catching his breath to calm his anger, Zhao Huaide was plunged into a deep tremor.

Zhang Hu was there to spy on Shi Hao, a fact Zhao Huaide knew very well. Could it be that Zhang Hu was punished because of this?
Anything that could be involved with her husband must be a huge deal. Zhao Huaide really didn't want to get involved, but Yang Yizhong had too many weaknesses in his hands, so he had no choice but to let him do as he pleased.

Now that Zhang Hu has disappeared, will he be the next one to disappear?
Only those in power know the truth. To outsiders, the Imperial City Guard Inspector may seem like a huge figure, but to truly important people, he's just a nobody.

Let alone Zhao Huaide, what about Yang Yizhong?

The memorials requesting the execution of Yang Yizhong never stopped!

After catching his breath and calming himself down, Zhao Huaide glared at Liu He: "You go... no..."

Zhao Huaide stood up and said, "You will come with me to investigate this matter, and there must be no oversight."

"Here!"

The manpower and resources that the Imperial City Guard Supervisor could mobilize were naturally incomparable to those of a mere clerk. Soon, the things that Liu He had overlooked came to light one by one.

"Hmm? Zhang Hu's report from last October said that a suspected Shandong spy was found in Shi Hao's residence? Shandong?!"

"It is indeed true. We dare not neglect it and have dispatched some people and allocated some funds to assist us."

"Bring that Wang the squad leader up here."

……

"I dare not conceal anything; this is all I know."

"Ah."

……

"Send more people to arrest Man Yu and his mistress!"

"And that leather goods seller should be arrested too."

"What? He escaped? Issue a warrant for his arrest!"

……

After all that trouble, on the 25th of the first lunar month, Zhao Huaide, empty-handed, could only take the documents and records he had found earlier to Long Dayuan to report.

After listening, Long Dayuan said with some surprise, "Liu Dalang has extended his reach to Lin'an, and even to the residence of Minister Shi?"

Zhao Huaide nodded helplessly: "Now it seems that's exactly the case."

Long Dayuan immediately waved his hand: "Let's not talk about Liu Dalang for now. First, explain clearly that the Imperial City Guard sent spies to Prime Minister Shi's residence. I don't remember ever giving such an order."

Zhao Huaide was naturally prepared: "The appointment is a common practice, it's practically an open secret, and the gentlemen are well aware of it."

Just like when Master Chen demolished the screen wall in his house and slept directly in the hall, allowing passersby to see him, it was all for the sake of being open and aboveboard.

Long Dayuan was a latecomer to the profession, so he nodded in agreement: "Then let's continue with the matter of Liu Dalang. Do you have any evidence?"

Zhao Huaide spread his hands and smiled bitterly: "That's the key point. There are no witnesses or physical evidence, it's all just speculation."

Long Dayuan shook his head and chuckled: "So, this is just baseless accusation, falsely accusing the general? Do you know how much trouble your guess will cause?"

Zhao Huaide sighed: "The promotion, everything is too coincidental."

Zhang Hu had just discovered Man Yu's weaknesses and made some arrangements when he disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, Man Yu and the Su family's fur workshop where he used to work were also deserted. They had completely disappeared.

Most importantly, in just two days, if they were fleeing hastily, they certainly wouldn't have gotten very far. I issued a warrant for their arrest, and after seven whole days there was not a single word, which means they definitely have someone to meet them, and may have even prepared an escape route long ago.

At this point, Zhao Huaide took a deep breath: "Supervisor, if Liu Dalang dares to do this, then even if it's not treason, he's preparing to treason. We need to be careful and take precautions. It's better to believe it's true than not to believe it's not."

Long Dayuan sighed and said, "Then we'll have to report this to His Majesty. If His Majesty questions Liu Dalang and he actually rebels, what will happen then? You've read quite a bit, you should know about Chao Cuo, right?"

Zhao Huaide shook his head repeatedly: "Of course we can't report this to His Majesty, otherwise we'll be accused of something in return."

"This is exactly what our Imperial City Guard does. We can just start investigating directly. There's a lot of trade between the North and South these days; if we investigate each one thoroughly, I'm not sure we won't find anything."

Long Dayuan glanced at the fellow and said, "Let me tell you, don't even think about trying to skim some profits. The merchants in the north are very sensible; they might share two legs of a fine horse with this prime minister or that prince."

If you really block someone's path to wealth, not only will I be unable to protect you, but even the officials will be in a difficult position.

Zhao Huaide said somewhat helplessly, "I will be careful and will definitely find solid evidence to support my recommendation!"

“Hmm… about this…” Long Dayuan hesitated for a moment before saying, “Just pretend you never told me.”

"I understand."

After leaving the prefectural government office, Zhao Huaide immediately went to a teahouse in the north.

After hearing Zhao Huaide's retelling, Yang Yizhong frowned: "That's what he said?"

Zhao Huaide nodded quickly: "The appointment was also out of concern for national affairs, and I didn't want any unexpected complications."

Yang Yizhong coughed twice before saying, "What are you worried about? You're clearly just afraid of trouble."

He might be afraid, but I'm not. Investigate thoroughly and I'll see what Liu Dalang is really up to!

"Here!"

Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous house in the northeast corner of Lin'an, Luo Huaiyan rubbed his hands together, looking at a large stack of documents in front of him, and said with some excitement, "I want to see what you're up to."

Faced with the accumulated figures of money and grain over the past few days, Luo Huaiyan and several calculators quickly began to calculate and continuously planted small flags representing the amount of money and grain on a large sand table in the center.

Several hours later, Luo Huaiyan got up, squinted at the place where dozens of small flags of different colors had gathered, and muttered to himself while stroking his chin.

"Jiankang..."

Without hesitation, Luo Huaiyan immediately wrote down his discovery in a secret letter and sent it to Shandong.

In addition, Luo Huaiyan also included his own speculation.

The State of Song is stockpiling money and grain in Jiankang, and it is very likely that they will take action against Shandong. I hope that you will make preparations as soon as possible!
(End of this chapter)